2020 Jeep Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems
178 of the 306 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). Filed under the same heading: 58 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 178 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 5 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 11 · 2025: 73 · 2026: 71
Half of the 44 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 49,000 and 79,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
306 complaints in all about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, 71 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Power Train” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Jeep Cherokee transmission and drivetrain problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Starting mid 2022, the vehicle was having trouble shifting into passing gear upon highway acceleration. It seemed to get stuck at 45 MPH before shifting into a higher speed, putting me at risk. Subsequently, In September 2022, I brought vehicle in for oil change.
In August 2022, My 2020 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 Limited started having jerking issues when excellerating. I also kept hearing a whistling sound that appears to come from the front passenger door. In addition, the entire navigation system would power off, at any time, for no reason. I would have to physically turn it back on.
On 3 separate occasions after being stopped to make a turn vehicle has started to go and then stops moving like its out of gear. It will then make a clunkng noise like its going into gear and start moving again. I have taken it to jeep and they said after 1st two times it needed an update.
My 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk began experiencing a "clunking" noise coming from the center of the vehicle. The first time I took it in, the dealer could not replicate the noise. The second time, the dealer did hear it and determined it was the Power Transfer Unit.
I purchased a brand new 2020 Jeep Cherokee last january and my 4 wheel drive sensor came on in november. My dealership got me in the first of december and told me it's my ptu. They stated the part was on back order till the first of january.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 26V290000 HighMay 7, 2026 · 61,711 vehicles
- Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
58 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P2610 P0513 P1614 P1279 C1487 C14A7 P0299 P02EE
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre transmission and drivetrain problems common on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 178 owner complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain on this model year (58% of everything owners filed about it), and 58 manufacturer bulletins, 1 recall are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 26V290000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 65,000 miles; half of them between 49,000 and 79,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.